How are butterflies and moths different?

First of all, moths are much more diverse than butterflies. According to the Smithsonian Institution, as many as 160,000 moth species have been described globally, compared with about 11,000 butterfly species.

Both insects have scales on their wings, but the wings of moths tend to be dark, usually gray, brown, or beige, while most butterflies possess lighter, more colorful wings.

Butterfly Queen Alexandra.

This color difference is partly related to living behavior. Moths are nocturnal and attempt to camouflage during the day on dark objects such as tree bark.

Meanwhile, butterflies are active during the day, moving from flower to flower to nibble on nectar. Their colorful wings often work to deceive predators that they contain toxins or chemicals with an unpleasant taste, according to the US State University of Iowa.

Another major behavioral difference between the two classes of insects is that butterflies usually close their wings to rest, while moths extend or extend their wings against their bodies. In addition, moths have a structure called the frenulum, which connects the front and hind wings, which is not observed in butterflies.

Hercules moth.

The developmental stages between larval and adult butterflies and moths are also slightly different. Moths make cocoons wrapped in fine silk, but butterflies form stiff and silkless pupae, according to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Henrico, Virginia.

In terms of beard shape, there are distinct differences. The antennae of butterflies are usually long, thin, and hairless. On the other hand, moth antennae are covered with fuzz, grow shorter, and are shaped like feathers or leaves.

However, there are exceptions that can cause confusion. For example, the Madagascan moth (Argema mittrei) has brilliant yellow wings dotted with bright red spots and is active during the day, while the Schaus swallowtail moth (Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus) lives in the marshes of Florida. It has a rather boring brown color, speckled with some white spots.